Coin-controlled apparatus



(No Modem A R. E. BBERSOLE. G01N GONTROLLED APPARATUS.

Patented Oct. 19, 1897.

By y

Arrofmfy Nrrnn STATESV PATENT turcs;

RAPHAEL E. EBERSOLE, OF ROANOKE, INDIANA.

oo lN-coNTRoLLED APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,004, dated October 19, 1897.

Application filed July 28, 1897. Serial No. 646,187.- (No model.) l

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, RAPHAEL E. EBERsoLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roanoke, in the county of Huntington, in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the artA to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My. invention relates to an improvement in a coin-controlled apparatus for use in cigar,

and confectionery shops; and the object of the invention is to providev a simple, cheap, and easily-constructed device to be used in connection with selling small articles, by

droppingV a'coin or token in a chute whichv will be deflected in its downward course into receptacles upon a shelf, which by numbers upon the receptacles will indicate the number of articles purchased and which coin can then be discharged into a compartmentdrawer beneath the shelf, the compartments being numbered to correspond with the numbers upon the indicator. The apparatusis portable and can be placed upon the counter in a shop or storeor in any other conspicuous place and affords an attractive method of selling goods and can be also utilized as an ad- I attain this object byV vertising medium. the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a'front view of the apparatus in elevation. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinalsectional view from front to-rear of Fig. 1.#

Figp3'is aplan View through theline in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the drawer or receptacle for the coins at the lower part of the apparatus,l V V Similar reference-numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views,in which- 1 is the exterior casing orframe, having a suitable top, sides, and base.

2 is a full-sized glass front secured within the frame. i

3 is aback preferably of wood secured within the frame, and in which are inserted forwardly-projecting pins 4L 4 of any desired number irregularly arranged for the purpose hereinafter described.

' '5 is a chute at the apex of the frame having an orifice for inserting a coin orV token. At the front lower part, back of the glass, is secured a board 6, upon which may be placed advertising matter or the rules of .using the machine, and 7 is an inclined shelf upon which is secured a glassv shelf S, which at its upper edge meets the glass front Y2. -At the rear is secured, to the sides, a board 14, and upon this is a glass 9, extending to and meeting with the back 3, as shown in Fig. 2. The glass`9` inclos'es the Works and is secured in position by cleats 17, fastened to'the sides of the frame in any proper manner.

At the base beneath the board 14 is a removable drawer 15, having suitable sides, ends, and bottom,vand open at the top, and which can be withdrawn from the rear. This drawer is subdivided into compartments, (indicated by numerals 1, 2, and 3, Figs. 3 and 4.)

An indicator 10, preferably of tin or other sheet metal, is pivotally mounted upon the shelf 8 by pivots 11 in the sides of the frame. This indicator is corrugated, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, thereby forming recesses on its front,

Iandwhich recessesarenumbered A1 2 3, dac.,

as shown To the rear side of this indicator is-pivotally attached an operating-rod 13 by the joint 12. The rod 13 extends to the rear through an aperture in the board 14",: as shown in Fig; 2, and by pushing it forward the indicator 10 can be raised from its yseat on the shelf 8.

T hejigures uponthe indicator correspond with the like numbered compartments in the drawer 15. The figures upon the indicator represent the number of the articles to which the customer is entitled, as follows: When a coin is dropped in chutev, in falling it will strike against the pinsel: and be deiiected in a zigzag course and lodge upon themshelf-S in one of the recesses of the indicator 10. If it lodges in one of the recesses having a number 1, it entitles the customer to one cigar or box of confections or other article that is for sale. If it falls into a recess having a number 2, it entitles the customer to two like articles, and if in 3, to three like articles. The recesses IOO having the numeral l are more numerous than the higher numbers, and thus increase the chances that but one will be drawn.

The open glass front enables the customer to see the operation and to what he is entitled, thus insuring perfect fairness. After ascertaining the number of articles to which the customer is entitled by his venture the seller by pushing in the rod 13 raises the indicator from the shelf S, and the coin glides into the receptacle in the drawer having a corresponding number, and the indicator being placed back upon the shelf the apparatus is again ready for use.

The drawer l5 can be secured within the frame by lock and key, and the own er can th us whenever he opens it ascertain just how many articles have been paid for, and it thus becomes a check upon the carelessness or dishonesty of clerks.

The shape of the frame and the corrugations in the indicators and the numbers and arrangement can be varied without departing from the scope of my invention. The operating-rod for manipulating the indicator can also be adj usted upon the side of the machine or in various other ways without departing from the scope of my invention. Also any suitable symbols, as letters, may be substituted for numerals on the indicator.

The apparatus can be made quite ornate and will form an attractive addition to the store or shop, and the mode of operation being plainly visible through the glass front all chance of cheating or trickery is eliminated, while the little element of uncertainty as to the result makes it attractive to customers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A coin-controlled apparatus, comprising a suitable frame having aglass front; a coinchute in the upper edge of the frame, a back having a plurality of forwardly-projecting pins arranged as described; a rearwardly-inclined shelf below said back adapted to receive a coin or token dropped in said chute; a recessed indicator having numbers as stated and pivotally attached to the frame, and having its base resting upon the said shelf; an u operating-rod for manipulating said indicator so arranged that the indicator can be raised from its seat upon the said shelf; all arranged substantially as described and shown.

2. A coin-controlled apparatus, comprising a suitable frame having a glass front; a coinchute in the upper edge of said frame, a back having a plurality of forwardlyprojecting pins arranged as described; a rearwardly-inclined shelf below said back adapted to reeeive a coin or token dropped in said chute; a recessed indicator having its recesses numbered as described, and being pivotally attached to the sides of the frame and having its base resting upon the said inclined shelf; an operating-rod so arranged as to raise the said indicator from said inclined shelf and permit the coins to glide into a drawer bcneath the same; a drawer beneath said shelf having compartments to'receive the said coin or token; and the recesses in the indicator and the compartments beneath having corresponding numbers or letters; all arranged substantially as described and shown.

3. A coin-controlled apparatus, comprising a suitable frame having a glass front and suitable orifiee for inserting a coin or token; a back having a plurality of forwardly-projecting pi ns, arran ged as described; a rearwardlyinclined shelf below said back adapted to receive a coin or token inserted in said orifice; a recessed indicator having its recesses numbered or lettered, and pivotally attached to said frame and its base in contact with said inclined shelf; an operating-rod pivotally attached tosaid indicator, and so arranged as by means thereof to elevate the indicator from its contact .with said shelf and permit the coin or token to glide into a receptacle or drawer having numbers or letters corresponding to like numbers or letters upon the recesses of the indicator; all arranged as described.

Signed and dated this 26th day of July, 1897.

RAPHAEL E. EBERSOLE. Witnesses:

A. W. LoNGsDoRF, C. H. McPHnRsoN. 

